In April 2012, we invited the public to provide input at a series of focus groups designed to assess customer satisfaction with our county park system and identify potential partnership opportunities and strategic planning issues, as well as to supply feedback about the community’s recreational needs. This needs assessment process was initiated and conducted by the Parks and Recreation Division, in conjunction with the consulting firm GreenPlay.

The original 15 focus groups involved approximately 225 participants, including both Parks staff and community stakeholders. It was followed by a statistically valid survey that had 400 respondents, along with an open, Web-based survey that drew responses from more than 100 participants. The process was supplemented with individual interviews with key staff members.

Then we reported back on GreenPlay’s initial findings from the focus groups in two more public forums – “findings/visioning workshops” held in mid-July at Central Broward Regional Park & Stadium in Lauderhill and Fern Forest Nature Center in Coconut Creek – and began to shape our vision for the future. A final meeting in September, also at Central Broward Regional, invited one more round of feedback before GreenPlay prepared a draft of the final report.

Now the Needs Assessment for the Parks and Recreation Division is available in its final form, and the Division is already in the process of determining how its recommendations will be put into action. The report includes key issues facing Parks, along with recommended strategies for addressing these issues.

Click the cover image below to view the Needs Assessment Final Report.